The National Park Service is hosting moonlight tours of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to a limited group of people who will climb the 257 steps on the spiral staircase of the lighthouse using only flashlights.

The park service said the tours will be held Wednesday night at
8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance and
each tour is limited to 30 people. Officials said there are no lights inside the lighthouse and that the climb can be hard for some people.

At the top, rangers will tell visitors how lighthouse keepers worked in the days when the beacon was fueled with oil and the lens was cleaned by hand.

How to obtain tIckets:

1. Full Moon Tour tickets, limited to the first 60 purchasers, must be purchased in person, in advance, at the lighthouse ticket booth. Full Moon Tour ticket sales will begin Wednesday, July 16. It is anticipated that tickets will sell out early. Standard admissions fees apply - $7 for adults, and $3.50 for children (11 and under) as well as seniors (62 and older). The lighthouse ticket booth, located at the lighthouse site, is open from 8:15 a.m. - 5:40 p.m. daily.

2. Each participant must bring a handheld flashlight with fresh, serviceable batteries.

3. All participants are required to be at least 42 inches tall and must climb the steps on their own - they can not be carried! If unsure, check with the Rangers before purchasing your non-refundable ticket. Also, keep in mind that some youngsters, although meeting height requirements, may not enjoy the dimly lit, sometimes claustrophobic environment.

4. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

5. For safety reasons, all participants must climb and descend with their group. No exceptions.

6. Know your limitations! The lighthouse is tall, dark, often hot, humid, and can be a challenge to climb. There are no internal lights or air conditioning.

7. All routine lighthouse safety requirements, as well as restrictions as to eating, drinking, gum etc., apply. This information will be provided to you when you purchase your ticket.

8. Tickets are non-refundable. If the program is cancelled due to weather, the ticket holder may exchange the ticket the following morning, July 19, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. for a replacement ticket useable only on July 19. This ticket will be for day climbing only.